Rupert L. Shepherd

Sergeant Rupert Shepherd was killed in a motorcycle accident while on routine patrol.

As he rode his motorcycle across the streetcar tracks at 29th Street and University Avenue his tires got caught in the track grooves, throwing him off balance. As he tried to regain control he was thrown into a steel trolley pole. He later succumbed to his injuries.

Sergeant Shepherd had served with the Des Moines Police Department for seven years.